Perez placed on disabled list

In a very suspicious move, the Mets have placed Oliver Perez on the disabled list, just in time to make room for Jon Niese to be removed from the DL. Niese is slated to pitch this afternoon against the Marlins.

The move is suspicious because Perez apparently complained of discomfort in his knee yesterday, just one day before the Mets had to make a decision on what to do with him. This gives them and Perez the opportunity to save face without sending him down to the minors or releasing him outright.

Perez got an MRI yesterday that confirmed right knee patella tendinitis, the same knee he had surgery on last summer.

Here’s the offiicial release:

The New York Mets today announced that the team has placed lefthanded pitcher Oliver Perez on the 15-Day Disabled List (retroactive to June 1) with patella tendinitis of his right knee. Perez came to Citi Field yesterday and complained of discomfort in his right knee, the same knee that underwent surgery September 1, 2009. He underwent an MRI last night at The Hospital for Special Surgery, and was diagnosed with patella tendinitis. Perez is expected to leave for Florida today to begin his rehabilitation and will return to a throwing program as tolerated. He last pitched on Tuesday, May 31, at San Diego.